In my most recent post, I shared some of my personal resolutions for 2016; one of them was to read at least a book per month. Reading is a great, inexpensive hobby that stretches your mind, sparks your creativity and allows you to better understand new concepts. I have compiled a list of a few of my most anticipated reads for 2016.

1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert: I received this book as a Christmas gift, and I am very excited to start reading it! I have read a few of Gilbert’s novels over the years and really appreciate her writing style. I have also enjoyed watching her TedTalks on creativity. This novel is categorized under self-help and personal development and has received great reviews so far. The novel promises to explain the creative process, encourage you to unleash your creative side and own what you do regardless of how difficult life may become.
2. Driven: How to Succeed in Business and Life – Robert Herjavec: I actually received this book as a gift last year and read about a quarter of it, so this is likely the first book I will read. Robert Herjavec, who is best known for his appearances on both Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank, shares his “rags to riches” story. Driven is filled with great advice to achieve both personal and professional success. Whether you’re the CEO of a major corporation or an entrepreneur in the start-up stage, reviews state that anyone can benefit from this read.
3. Go Set a Watchman – Harper Lee: This recently published novel is said to be the first draft of the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM), which is one of my all-time favourite reads. Go Set a Watchman has experienced a lot of criticism and skepticism surrounding the discovery of the novel, however, it has also been highly praised by many. The plot takes place twenty or so years later than To Kill a Mockingbird and follows many of the same characters from TKAM, including an adult Scout Finch who visits her hometown during an era where many civil rights issues were occurring. Scout is forced to grow up quickly and face the harsh reality that the world she loved as a child is changing right before her eyes.
4. Originals: How Non-Conformists Change the World – Adam Grant: Wharton professor, Adam Grant, explains how original thinkers can succeed at changing the world. Grant pulls from various business case studies to illustrate how those who weren’t afraid to “go against the grain” have helped change the creative landscape in various companies.
5. The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World’s Most Creative Places – Eric Weiner: The Geography of Genius is a travel diary written by Eric Weiner, who visited various cities and “time-traveled” to the past to discover the connection between creative individuals and both their culture and environment.
6. The Gratitude Diaries – Janice Kaplan: Former journalist, Janice Kaplan, makes a promise to herself on New Year’s Eve to change her perspective and live her life with more gratitude. In this novel, Kaplan shares her own experiences of how her life has changed by being more grateful. She also provides extensive research and conducts interviews with experts, celebrities and ordinary people to find out how gratitude can transform every aspect of your life.

Have you also made it one of your goals to read more this year, or are you already an avid reader? If you have any suggestions of book titles to check out, please leave them as a comment below!